Family Spotlight

Three months searching for answers. Seven hours of travel for every specialist visit. Ongoing insurance barriers.

Through it all, Mariah continues to remind her family, “I’m brave” and “It’s going to be okay.”

Her family Walks Strong to honor her courage, raise awareness, support research, and help more children with juvenile myositis find answers and expert care sooner.

Join Walk Strong Across America before Labor Day and take a step for families like Mariah’s.

Congratulations to our

2026 Advocate Scholarship Recipients!

Congratulations to our

2026 Advocate Scholarship Recipients!

Cure JM is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Cure JM Advocate Scholarships: Marissa Douglas, Hannah McLaughlin, Rohan Saarang, and Kera Mingus.

The scholarships honor founding members of Cure JM’s inaugural Medical Advisory Board and pioneering JM researchers and clinicians Drs. Lisa G. Rider, Ann M. Reed, and Lauren M. Pachman.

Each recipient was recognized for their leadership, volunteer service, resilience, and ability to inspire and empower others within the juvenile myositis community.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students!

August 12 Town Hall

First Steps Forward for the Newly Diagnosed

Whether your family is newly diagnosed or could use a helpful refresher, this Town Hall is designed to help you feel more informed and supported.

Dr. Angela Chun of Lurie Children’s Hospital will offer clear, compassionate guidance on the basics of JM, common medications, sun protection, medical records, and preparing for appointments.

Register today and bring your questions for Dr. Chun.

Researcher Spotlight:

Dr. Rie Karasawa

Why does one child with juvenile dermatomyositis experience very different symptoms or respond differently to treatment than another?

With support from Cure JM, Dr. Rie Karasawa and her team in Japan are investigating whether different antibody types may hold part of the answer. Their research is uncovering important clues about how JDM affects the blood vessels, what standard blood tests may not always reveal, and how treatments could one day be better matched to each child.

Clinical Trials & Research Opportunities

1. RESET-Myositis The trial is actively enrolling children, teens and adults with myositis ages 6–75. Enrollment is currently underway at 35 sites across the United States and United Kingdom. All participants in this Phase 1/2 study receive CAR-T therapy, with no placebo group. The study is evaluating a CAR-T cell therapy approach, which uses a patient’s own immune cells to target and reset parts of the immune system that may be driving disease activity in juvenile myositis. Learn More.

2. Fatty Acid Supplementation Trial for Dermatomyositis (FAST for DM)

Can fish oil improve Dermatomyositis symptoms? NIH is recruiting U.S. adults ages 18–60 with JDM or DM for a clinical research study. Compensation up to $800. Learn more.

3. TEAM-LEADS Study Help Duke Children's develop an online app to support stress management and healthy routines for teens and young adults with dermatomyositis. Learn more.



Interested in exploring a clinical trial? Start by messaging your clinician through your patient portal. Cure JM can connect you with families who have participated and can share their experience.

To learn more or request a connection, contact James Tealy, Associate Director, CCN & Family Education, at james.tealy@curejm.org.

Eligibility and participation are determined in consultation with your care team. Visit Cure JM’s Clinical Trials page to learn more.

Mental Health Matters

Back to School...Again

Back-to-school season brings a long list of added worries for families managing JM. Drawing from her experience as both a parent and therapist, Cure JM Mental Health Coordinator Ronda Thorington shares practical ways to prepare your child, build a supportive school team, and ease some of the anxiety before the first bell rings.



Read the full article for encouragement and helpful tips for the year ahead.

Family Days

Family Days offer JM families a chance to learn from experts, connect with other families, and feel supported by a caring community. These events include medical updates, family‑to‑family conversations, and time to build relationships that last. 

Click for more dates listed throughout 2027.

GEMs

GEMs (Giving Every Month) is growing, and families across the country are helping build a reliable foundation for Cure JM’s work. Monthly gifts protect progress in research and expand the support families count on. You can join the GEMs community at any time.